Method for production of an electrical machine stator comprising a preforming step, and corresponding wound stator

ABSTRACT

The invention essentially relates to a method for the production of a winding of a stator ( 15 ) comprising a body equipped with slots ( 28 ), comprising: a supply step consisting in supplying a winding unit with a bundle of conductors ( 37 ); and a pre-forming step consisting in moving the winding unit in relation to the bundle of conductors ( 37 ), such as to obtain a bundle of conductors ( 37 ) having, for each phase winding (E 1 -E 6 ), at least two loop structures ( 39 ) and at least three segment structures ( 38 ), two of the segment structures ( 38 ) being positioned such that they can be disposed in the same slot ( 28 ) of the stator ( 15 ) and the two loop structures ( 39 ) connecting said two segment structures ( 38 ) stacked on the third segment structure ( 38 ).

The present invention relates to a method for production of anelectrical machine stator comprising a preforming step, as well as tothe corresponding wound stator.

The invention has a particularly advantageous application for a statorof a rotary electrical machine, such as, for example, an alternator, analternator-starter or an electric motor.

In a known manner, rotary electrical machines comprise a stator and arotor integral with a shaft. The rotor can be integral with a drivingand/or a driven shaft, and can belong to a rotary electrical machine inthe form of an alternator, as described in document EP0803962, or of anelectric motor as described in document EP0831580. The electricalmachine comprises a housing which supports the stator. This housing isconfigured to rotate the shaft of the rotor, for example by means ofbearings.

The rotor comprises a body formed by a stack of metal sheets which aremaintained in the form of a set by means of an appropriate securingsystem, such as rivets which pass through the rotor axially from oneside to the other. The rotor comprises poles which are formed forexample by permanent magnets accommodated in cavities provided in themagnetic mass of the rotor, as described for example in documentEP0803962. Alternatively, in a so-called “projecting” polesarchitecture, the poles are formed by coils wound around arms of therotor.

The stator comprises a body constituted by a stack of thin plates, aswell as a phase winding received in notches in the stator which are opentowards the interior. There are generally three or six phases. In thestators of alternators of this type, the types of windings which aremost commonly used are firstly the so-called “concentric” windingsconstituted by coils closed on themselves, which are wound around teethof the stator, and secondly windings of the so-called “undulating” type,which are described for example in document FR2483702.

The undulating winding comprises a plurality of phase windings, of thetype wherein each winding comprises at least one spiral conductor, eachspiral of which forms undulations which pass through the notches in thebody. These conductors have loop structures which are situatedalternately on both sides of the rotor or the stator, connecting to oneanother segment structures which are situated in the interior of thenotches in the stator. A set of loop structures which extends from aside of the stator constitutes a chignon of the winding.

In order to improve the performance of the electrical machine, it ispreferable to fill the notches in the stator to the maximum, whilstfacilitating the formation of the winding chignons. For this purpose,for stators constituting alternators which are designed in particularfor motor vehicle applications, it has been proposed in document U.S.Pat. No. 6,459,187 to produce windings of the so-called “front-rear”type, comprising phase windings formed by conductors with segmentstructures which are positioned alternately in an inner radial layer andan outer radial layer of the conductor.

However, taking into account the large number of wires used (two wiresper phase, i.e. 12 wires altogether for a hexaphase stator), aconfiguration of this type makes the coupling of the different phases toone another difficult.

The objective of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantageefficiently by proposing a method for production of a stator comprisinga body provided with notches, characterised in that it comprises:

a supply step consisting of supplying a winding unit with a bundle ofconductors; and

a preforming step consisting of displacing the winding unit relative tothe bundle of conductors, such as to obtain a bundle of conductors withat least two loop structures for each phase winding, and at least threesegment structures, two of the said segment structures being positionedsuch as to be able to be arranged in the same notch in the stator, andthe two loop structures connecting respectively the said two segmentstructures superimposed on the third segment structure, such that thedirection of running of the stator notches by each phase winding isinverted at a notch known as the inversion notch, in which the saidsegment structure is accommodated, connected via two loop structures totwo superimposed segment structures.

The segment structures are designed to be received in the notches in thestator, and the loop structures connect the segment structures.

According to one embodiment, the said two segment structures arepositioned facing one another on both sides of the winding unit.

According to one embodiment, the said method additionally comprises:

a forming step, consisting of displacing the winding unit relative tothe bundle of conductors, such as to form a portion of each of the phasewindings each comprising at least one loop structure and at least twosegment structures, the said loop structure connecting the two segmentstructures;

repeating the supply and forming step, such as to obtain a winding layercomprising a plurality of phase windings, in each of which thesuccessive segment structures of a single conductor are positionedalternately in an inner layer and an outer layer.

According to one embodiment, the forming step comprises a winding stepconsisting of turning the winding unit relative to the bundle ofconductors.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises the step ofturning the winding unit by 180°.

According to one embodiment, the forming step comprises a step oftranslation of the bundle of conductors relative to the winding unit.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises the step ofdisplacing the bundle of conductors by one step corresponding to thenumber of phases.

According to one embodiment, each translation step is followed by awinding step.

According to one embodiment, the step of forming the phase windings iscarried out such that segment structures of two conductors constitutinga single phase winding are positioned alternately in a lower layer andan upper layer according to a length of the layer.

According to one embodiment, each phase winding is obtained from asingle wire.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises a compensationstep consisting of compensating for a change of level of the saidwinding layer when a winding of the said layer covers a circumference ofthe stator.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises a step of puttinginto place storage devices which are designed to receive the portions ofthe phase windings.

According to one embodiment, for two adjacent notches of a series ofnotches of a comb associated with a phase winding, the winding has twoloop structures situated on both sides of the stator, connecting segmentstructures of one of the said notches adjacent to those of the other.

According to one embodiment, the said two loop structures connectrespectively a segment structure belonging to a lower layer to a segmentstructure belonging to an upper layer, and a segment structure belongingto an upper layer to a segment structure belonging to a lower layer.

According to one embodiment the supply and forming steps are repeatedsuch as to obtain a winding layer, the length of which is equal to N/2times the circumference of the stator, N being the number of layers ofconductors required in the wound stator, N being equal to two or more.

According to one embodiment, the number N of layers of conductors isequal to four, six, or eight.

According to one embodiment, the number N of layers of conductors isequal to eight.

According to one embodiment, the said method additionally comprises astep of installation of the winding layer in a spindle for formation ofthe winding, and a step of transfer of the spindle winding to the saidstator.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises a step of puttinga continuous notch insulator into place in notches in the said stator,before carrying out the step of transfer of the winding to the saidstator.

According to one embodiment, the said method comprises a step ofstamping of the segment structures which are designed to be inserted innotches in the stator.

According to one embodiment, each conductor has a square or rectangularcross-section.

The invention also relates to a wound stator comprising a body providedwith notches, and a winding formed from a layer comprising a pluralityof phase windings, characterised in that the said winding comprises aregular part in which, for each phase winding, segment structures areeach connected, via two loop structures, to two adjacent segmentstructures situated in two different notches, and an irregular windingpart in which, for each phase winding, at least one segment structure isconnected via two loop structures to two segment structures which aresuperimposed radially relative to one another in a single notch, suchthat the direction of running in the notches in the stator by each phasewinding is inverted at a notch known as the inversion notch, in whichthere is accommodated the said segment structure connected via two loopstructures to two superimposed segment structures.

According to one embodiment, for at least one phase winding of theirregular winding part, at least one of the loop structures has radialadjustments, such that the said at least one loop structure of the phasewindings does not/do not overlap.

According to one embodiment, segment structures of two conductors whichconstitute a single phase winding are positioned alternately in an innerlayer and an outer layer according to a circumference of the stator.

According to one embodiment, each phase winding is constituted by asingle wire.

According to one embodiment, for two adjacent notches of a series ofnotches associated with a phase winding, the winding has two loopstructures situated on both sides of the stator connecting segmentstructures of one of the said notches adjacent to those of the other.

According to one embodiment, the said two loop structures connectrespectively a segment structure belonging to an inner layer to asegment structure belonging to an outer layer, and a segment structurebelonging to an outer layer to a segment structure belonging to an innerlayer.

According to one embodiment, the segment structures have a square orrectangular cross-section, and the loop structures have a roundcross-section.

According to one embodiment, the teeth which delimit the notches arewithout tooth roots.

According to one embodiment, the winding is obtained by winding awinding layer around N/2 stator turns, N being the number of layers ofconductors required in the wound stator, N being equal to two or more.

According to one embodiment, the number N of layers of conductors isequal to four, six, or eight.

According to one embodiment, the number N of layers of conductors isequal to eight.

The invention also relates to an electrical machine comprising a statoras previously described.

The invention will be better understood by reading the followingdescription and examining the figures which accompany it. These figuresare provided purely by way of illustration of the invention which is inno way limiting.

FIG. 1 is a partial view in perspective of the interior of a stator inwhich the conductors of a phase winding are arranged according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 represents a view from above of the stator body in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view from above of the form of the teeth of thestator in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view from above of the outer indexing means ofthe stator in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 represents a linear development of two conductive wires forming aphase winding, showing the relative radial position of the twoconductors in relation to one another on the circumference of thestator;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of the stator according to the presentinvention provided with its winding;

FIG. 7 represents a partial view in perspective of the regular andirregular parts of the stator winding according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a partial view in perspective of the irregular part of thestator winding represented alone;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation in perspective of an installationwhich permits the production of a winding layer according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective on an enlarged scale of theinstallation represented in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11a and 11b are respectively views in perspective and from the sideof a first type of storage device used with the installation in FIGS. 9and 10;

FIGS. 12a and 12b are respectively views in perspective and from theside of a second type of storage device used with the installation inFIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 represents a view in perspective of an assembly of storagedevices in FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is a detailed view in longitudinal cross-section of the assemblyin FIG. 13, showing part of the winding layer situated between thestorage devices;

FIGS. 15a and 15b show respectively views from above and from the sideof the winding layer obtained by means of the installation in FIGS. 9and 10;

FIGS. 16a and 16b are respectively views in perspective and from theside of a modular comb used to transfer the winding layer to an annularspindle;

FIGS. 17 to 20 represent views in perspective of the different elementswhich constitute the modular comb in FIGS. 16a and 16 b;

FIG. 21 is a view in perspective of the tool, making it possible tocarry out a first step of forming of the chignon of the winding on thetransfer comb;

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of the annular spindle aroundwhich the layer of winding is wound before the transfer by expansion tothe stator body;

FIG. 23 is a schematic representation of an installation forimplementation of the first step of transfer of the conductors from thewinding layer to the annular spindle in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24a represents schematically the step of putting a continuous notchinsulator into place in the interior of the notches in the statoraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 24b represents schematically the step of cutting the notchinsulator after insertion of the conductors of the winding in thenotches in the stator according to the present invention;

FIGS. 25a and 25b are respectively views in perspective and from aboveof a stator according to the present invention provided with notchinsulators produced according to a second embodiment;

FIGS. 26a and 26b represent the step of putting the stator into placearound the annular spindle in order to carry out the transfer of thewinding by expansion from the annular spindle to the stator;

FIGS. 27a and 27b are schematic representations of the extraction bladesshown respectively in the initial position and approaching the finalposition, in which the winding has been transferred onto the statorbody;

FIG. 28 is a view in perspective of the tooling which makes it possibleto carry out the step of forming of the chignons after production of thewound stator;

FIGS. 29a to 29c show variant embodiments of a punch which makes itpossible to carry out the step of deformation of the inner layer ofconductors in order to retain them in the interior of the stator;

FIG. 30 is a detailed view from above of a stator according to thepresent invention provided with foldable tooth roots;

FIGS. 31a and 31b show in a view from above two embodiments of thefoldable teeth of the stator according to the present invention;

FIG. 32 represents a step of stamping of the segment structures of theconductors of the winding layer;

FIGS. 33 and 34 show two variant embodiments of the tooling which makesit possible to carry out stamping of the continuous wire according tothe method of the invention;

FIG. 35a is a view in perspective of the wire obtained upon completionof the stamping step carried out with one of the tools in FIGS. 33 and34;

FIG. 35b is a view in perspective of a portion of a stamped phasewinding wire provided with two segment structures and a loop structure;

FIG. 36 is a view from above of two under-layers which are designed tobe imbricated with one another in order to obtain the winding layeraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 37a is a view in perspective of a wound stator provided with aninterconnector providing a coupling in the form of a triangle of thephase windings of the electrical machine;

FIGS. 37b and 37c show respectively the diagram of the connections inthe interior of the interconnector in FIG. 37a , between the terminalsof the interconnector and the inputs and outputs of the phase windings,as well as the corresponding wiring diagram;

FIG. 38a is a view in perspective of a wound stator provided with aninterconnector providing a coupling in the form of a star of the phasewindings of the electrical machine;

FIGS. 38b and 38c show respectively the diagram of the connections inthe interior of the interconnector in FIG. 38a , between the terminalsof the interconnector and the inputs and outputs of the phase windings,as well as the corresponding wiring diagram;

FIG. 39 shows a variant embodiment of the connection between a lug of aninterconnector in FIGS. 37a and 38a and an end of a phase winding;

FIG. 40 represents the influence on the height of the loop structures bythe phenomenon of transfer of the annular spindle to the stator;

FIGS. 41a-41b to 43a-43b are views in perspective and from the side of awound stator according to the present invention with differentconfigurations of winding chignons;

FIGS. 44a and 44b show views from above of a stator produced in twoparts comprising a central core (FIG. 44a ) and an added-on yoke whichis designed to be secured around the central core (FIG. 44b );

FIGS. 45a and 45b represent the steps of putting a yoke with a flat forminto place by bending around the wound central core;

FIG. 46 shows a step of production of the yoke around the central corefrom a flat plate wound around the central core;

FIGS. 47a to 47d show variant embodiments of the fitting between theouter ends of the teeth of the central core and the inner periphery ofthe added-on yoke;

FIGS. 48a and 48b are partial views in perspective showing the possiblevariant embodiments of the areas of connection between the teeth of thecentral core;

FIG. 49 shows a view in perspective of a flat stator which is designedto be bent after putting into place of the winding layer;

FIG. 50 shows a view in perspective of a bent stator without its windingprovided with a set of plates, the sheets of which have been thermallybonded;

FIG. 51 shows a line of two half-sets of flat plates with an edge stripplaced against one of their faces;

FIG. 52 is a view in perspective of the stator obtained after assemblyand bending of the two half-sets in FIG. 51 without the winding;

FIG. 53 is a detailed view in perspective of one of the axial ends ofthe teeth of the stator comprising an edge strip;

FIG. 54 is a view in perspective of a stator represented without itswinding obtained from a flat stator with at least one weld provided inthe base of a notch;

FIG. 55 is a detailed view in perspective of welding carried out in thebase of a notch;

FIG. 56 is a view from above of the stator in FIG. 54 showing therelative angular positioning of the welds;

FIG. 57 is a detailed view in perspective of the stator provided with ahollow in each of the notches, in order to facilitate the bending step;

FIG. 58 shows a variant embodiment of the winding, using two wires inuse per phase winding.

Elements which are identical, similar or analogous retain the samereference from one figure to another.

FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a stator 15 of a rotary electricalmachine which mainly comprises a body 16 in which a plurality of phasewindings E1-E6 are fitted, forming a winding 17 which can be seenclearly in FIG. 6. A single winding E1 is represented in FIG. 1 in orderto facilitate understanding.

The rotary machine is for example an alternator or analternator-starter. This machine is preferably designed to beimplemented in a motor vehicle. It will be remembered that analternator-starter is a rotary electrical machine which can workreversibly, firstly as an electric generator in alternator function, andsecondly as an electric motor, in particular in order to start thethermal engine of the motor vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stator 15 body 16 has an annular cylindricalform with an axis X, and consists of an axial stack of flat plates. Thestator 15 body 16 is delimited radially by an inner cylindrical face 20and by an outer cylindrical face 21. The body 16 is also delimitedaxially by a radial face with a lower axial end 22 and by a radial facewith an upper axial end 23.

The body 16 comprises teeth 25 which are distributed angularly regularlyaround an inner circumference of a yoke 26. These teeth 25 delimitnotches 28 in pairs. The yoke 26 corresponds to the solid outer annularportion of the body 16 which extends between the base of the notches 28and the outer periphery of the stator 15.

The notches 28 open axially into the lower 22 and upper 23 axial radialend faces of the body 16. The notches 28 are open radially in the innercylindrical face of the body 16. As a variant, the notches 28 are openin the outer cylindrical face of the body 16. The notches 28 in thestator 15 preferably have parallel edges, i.e. the inner faces oppositeone another of the notches 28 are parallel to one another. There are forexample 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 or 96 notches 28. In the example in theembodiment, the stator 15 comprises 96 notches. They are distributedangularly regularly around the axis X of the body 16.

In order to form the stator 15 winding 17, a plurality of phase windingsE1-E6 are fitted in the body 16. In this case the hexaphase stator 15comprises six phase windings E1-E6. The invention can however be appliedto stators 15 comprising a different number of phase windings, and inparticular to three-phase stators 15 comprising three phase windingsE1-E3, or pentaphase stators comprising five phase windings E1-E5, orheptaphase comprising seven phase windings E1-E7. The stator 15 body 16then comprises for example 36 or 48 notches 28.

Preferably, as can be seen clearly in FIG. 3, the stator 15 is withouttooth roots on the free end side of the teeth 25. In addition, corners31 which are situated at the free ends of the teeth 25 preferably have aform which is rounded according to a radius R, known as the inputradius. This input radius R is between 0.15 mm and half a width of atooth 25. The production of this radius makes it possible to facilitatethe insertion of the different layers of conductors 37 in the interiorof the notches 28 via the end of the notches 28 open on the inner sideof the stator 15. In order to obtain the rounded form in the corners 31,a step is carried out of cutting the plates of the body 16 according tothe radius R, and a step of compacting the stator body 16.

In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 4, outer indexing means 32 providedon an outer periphery of the yoke 26 permit controlled angularpositioning during the different steps of production of the wound stator15 described in detail hereinafter. These indexing means 32 are used inparticular at the moment when the stator 15 is put into place around theannular spindle 105, before the transfer of the winding 17 to thenotches 28 in the stator 15. These indexing means 32 are also usedduring putting into place of a notch insulator.

These outer indexing means 32 are in the form of recesses 33 which aredesigned to cooperate with gauges 34 of an outer tool. In this case, therecesses 33 have a cross-section in the form of a “V”, whereas thegauges 34 have a round cross-section. As a variant, the outer indexingmeans 32 are in the form of pins which extend projecting on the outerperiphery of the yoke 26, and are designed to cooperate with recessesprovided in the outer tool.

Each conductor 37 belonging to a phase winding E1-E6 comprises a seriesof segment structures 38 which are received in an associated series ofnotches 28. Each conductor 37 also comprises loop structures 39 whichconnect to one another the consecutive segment structures 38 of a givenwinding E1-E6, and extend alternately projecting relative to the upperaxial end face 23, and projecting relative to the lower axial end face22. A set of loop structures 39 provided at an axial end of the stator15 body 16 constitutes a winding chignon 163.

In order to optimise the filling of notches 28, each conductor 37 canhave a rectangular or square transverse cross-section, the width ofwhich is substantially equal to the width of a notch 28. According toone embodiment, the conductors 37 have a rectangular or squarecross-section along their entire length. Alternatively, the segmentstructures 38 have a square or rectangular cross-section, whereas loopstructures 39 connecting two adjacent segment structures 38 have a roundcross-section. In order to obtain a configuration of this type, theconductors 37 can be subjected to a stamping step described hereinafterwith reference to FIGS. 32 to 34. The conductors 37 are preferably madeof copper covered with enamel. As a variant, the conductors 37 can bemade of aluminium.

As shown in FIG. 3, a ratio is defined between a width of a notch L1covered with notch insulator 145, and a width L2 of a segment structure38 covered with enamel, measured in a direction perpendicular to theinner faces of the notch 28, i.e. in an orthoradial direction (ratioL1/L2). This ratio is between 0.9 and 2, in order to maximise thefilling of the notches 28 by the conductors 37, by optimising the sizeof the conductor 37 which can be inserted in the notch, relative to thewidth of the notch 28.

With each notch being covered with an insulator, and each covered notchedge of the insulator preferably having a gap J with an end opposite asection of a given segment structure 38, the notch width L1 is equal tothe sum of the width of the segment structure 38 and twice the gap J,the said twice the gap J being larger than a negative gap of −0.2 mm,and smaller than a positive gap of +0.3 mm.

The notches 28 of a series of notches receive the segment structures 38of the conductors 37 which constitute a phase winding E1-E6. Each seriesof notches 28 is associated with one of the six phase windings. Twoconsecutive notches 28 of a series of notches are separated by adjacentnotches 28, each corresponding to another series of notches 28associated with one of the five other phase windings. Thus, for ahexaphase stator 15, as in the case in FIG. 1, five adjacent notches 28are left free between two notches 28 of each series. In other words, theconductors 37 of a winding are inserted in one notch out of six adjacentnotches 28. Thus, for a stator 15 comprising K phase windings, thesegment structures 38 are received in one notch out of K adjacentnotches 28.

The phase windings E1-E6 define a radial stack of concentric layersC1-C8, as can be seen in FIG. 3, or also in FIG. 41b, 42b or 43 b. Aso-called “outer” layer is situated on the yoke 26 side, relative to aninner layer, whereas a so-called “inner” layer is situated on the axis Xside of the stator 15 relative to the outer layer. In this case, astator 15 is represented comprising eight concentric layers C1-C8 ofconductor 37. However, it is clear that the winding 17 can comprisefewer or more than eight layers of conductors 37, and in particular sixor four layers of conductors 37 superimposed radially, as represented inFIG. 5.

More generally, as explained in greater detail hereinafter, the winding17 is formed from a winding layer 52 of interlaced conductors which iswound on N/2 stator 15 turns, N being the number of layers of conductors37 required in the wound stator 15, N being equal to two or more. Thenumber N of layers of conductors 37 is preferably equal to four, six oreight.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, which shows a series of notches 28 associatedwith a given phase winding, in this case the phase winding E1, thesuccessive segment structures 38 of the single conductor 37 arepositioned alternately in an inner layer and an outer layer on most ofthe circumference of the stator 15.

Thus, for a pair of conductors 37 a, 37 b obtained from a single foldedwire 44, as explained in greater detail hereinafter, and occupying thelayers C1 and C2, each conductor 37 a, 37 b has a globally sinusoidalform, and comprises consecutively a lower loop structure 39 whichextends below the lower face 22 of the body 16, a segment structure 38which is received in an associated notch, an upper loop structure 39which extends above the upper face 23 of the body 16, or an upper loopstructure 39 which extends above the upper face 23 of the body 16, asegment structure 38 which is received in an associated notch, and alower loop structure 39 which extends below the lower face 22 of thebody 16.

When, in a notch 28 in the series, the segment structure 38 of theconductor 37 a is in the layer C1, the segment structure 38 of theconductor 37 b is situated in the layer C2. In addition, when thesegment structure 38 of the conductor 37 a is in the layer C2 of thesuccessive notch 28 in the series, the segment structure 38 of theconductor 37 b is situated in the layer C1. In all cases, the twosegment structures 38 are superimposed radially on one another in eachnotch 28. This alternation in the layers is also found in the layers C3and C4 of the winding 17. In each notch 28 of the stator 15, there isthus a single column of segment structures 38 stacked radially on oneanother.

In addition, for two adjacent notches 28 of a series of notchesassociated with a phase winding E1-E6, the winding 17 has two loopstructures 39 situated on both sides of the stator 15 connecting segmentstructures 38 of one of the notches 28 adjacent to those of the other.

Thus, the loop structure 39 of one of the conductors 37 a, whichconnects the segment structures 38 received in the two aforementionedadjacent notches 28 is arranged axially above the upper face of the body16, whereas the loop structure 39 of the other conductor 37 b whichconnects the segment structures 38 received in the two aforementionedadjacent notches 28 is arranged axially below the lower face of the body16.

In addition, for two adjacent notches 28 of a series associated with agiven phase winding E1-E6, the loop structure 39 of the conductor 37 aconnects a segment structure 38 belonging to an inner layer to a segmentstructure 38 belonging to an outer layer, whereas the loop structure 39of the other conductor 37 b connects a segment structure 38 belonging toan outer layer to a segment structure 38 belonging to an inner layer.The relationship is inverted for the two following adjacent notches 28.

The winding 17 additionally has a discontinuity. In fact, as shown inFIG. 7 and in FIG. 5, the winding 17 comprises a so-called “regular”part 46 in which, for each phase winding E1-E6, segment structures 38are each connected, via two loop structures 39, to two adjacent segmentstructures 38 situated in two different notches 28.

The winding 17 also comprises a so-called “irregular” part 47 shown inFIG. 7 on the outer periphery side of the stator 15, wherein, for eachphase winding E1-E6, at least one segment structure 38 is connected viatwo loop structures 39 to two segment structures 38 superimposedradially relative to one another in a single notch 28. As can be seenclearly in FIG. 5, the winding E1 thus has in the notch 28 which isfurthest to the left a segment structure 38 connected via two loopstructures 39 to two segment structures 38 superimposed radiallyrelative to one another in the adjacent notch 28 on the right. As avariant, the irregular part 47 is situated on the inner periphery sideof the stator 15.

Preferably, as represented in FIG. 8, in the irregular winding part 47,the phase windings E1-E6 each comprise at least one loop structure 39with radial adjustments 50, such that these loop structures 39 whichconnect segment structures 38 situated in identical layers of conductorsdo not overlap. These radial adjustments 50 are defined by parts of aconductor 37 which extend radially relative to the axis of the stator15, such as to prevent the loop structures 39 of the other phasewindings which connect segment structures 38 from being situated in thesame layer.

It should be noted that, for the first phase winding E1 which issituated at an end of the series of notches 28 associated with thedifferent phases, the loop structure 39 which connects two segmentstructures 38 positioned in the same layer does not need to beconfigured to avoid the loop structures 39 of the other phase windings.Consequently, this loop structure 39 is without radial adjustment 50.

In addition, if a first type of loop structures 39 is defined ensuring aconnection of consecutive segment structures 38 received in the notches28 situated in a single layer C1-C8 of conductors 37, and a second typeof loop structures 39 ensuring a connection of consecutive segmentstructures 38 received in the notches 28 situated in the layers C1-C8 ofdifferent conductors 37, the winding 17 is produced such that less than10% of all of the loop structures 39 are of the first type of loopstructures 39.

By implementing segment structures 38 which change layers to a largeextent, there is thus limitation of the stresses on the wires 44 of thewinding chignons 163 at the moment of a change of turn of the windinglayer 52 around the stator 15, as explained hereinafter.

In addition, thanks to the mainly front-rear alternation of the winding,there is limitation of the number of radial adjustments 50, because ofthe putting into place in parallel of the successive loop structures 39associated with the phase windings E1-E6 according to the direction ofpassage from one layer C1-C8 to another.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the loop structures 39 form stationary bladeswhich are inclined according to a direction D1 around the axis X of thestator 15, in conformity with a direction of a cooling fluid. Relativeto a radial position of the blades, these blades are inclined in adirection corresponding to the direction of rotation of the rotor. Thistherefore makes it possible to improve the flow of the cooling fluid, ingeneral air, inside the electrical machine, in order to optimise itscooling. The loop structures 39 are inclined such as to be substantiallyparallel in pairs, for adjacent segment structures 39. Circulation ofthe cooling fluid is ensured by blades secured to a rotor which areoriented substantially radially relative to the axis of the stator 15.

In addition, a configuration of this type enables each chignon 163 ofthe winding 17 to have a limited general height. The height of eachwinding chignon is thus less than 33% of a height of the stator 15 body16, which makes it possible to save copper in the chignons for the sameperformance of the machine, since only the copper which is present inthe notches makes it possible to generate the current of the electricalmachine. The chignons of the winding 17 are preferably positionedexclusively inside an outer periphery of the stator 15, in order tofacilitate the integration of the machine in the environment under thebonnet of the vehicle.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show an installation 51 which makes it possible to form awinding layer 52 which can be seen clearly in FIGS. 14, 15 a and 15 b,and is used for production of the hexaphase stator 15 according to theinvention. This installation 51 comprises a winding unit 54 whichextends according to a longitudinal direction Y and a unit 55 forconveying the conductors 37 extending substantially transverselyrelative to the winding unit 54.

More specifically, the unit 55 for conveying the conductors 37 comprisesa conductor 37 guide head 57 integral with a support 58 which is mobilein translation according to the axis Y relative to a fixed frame 59. Thedisplacement of the mobile support 58 and of the guide head 57 iscarried out by means of a maneuvering device with the reference 60.

In addition, the winding unit 51 comprises a winding unit 54 which isdesigned to receive in succession the storage devices 61 described ingreater detail hereinafter. The winding unit 54 can turn together withthe storage device 61 which it supports, around the axis Y, relative toa fixed frame 64 with an annular form. The winding unit 54 is alsoconfigured to displace the storage devices 61 in translation to astorage unit 65.

The winding unit 54 also comprises on its two opposite longitudinallateral edges keys 66 which are designed to ensure the retention of theconductors 37 during the rotation of the winding unit 54 relative to theunit 55 for conveying of the conductors 37. The keys 66 also havevariable spacing in order to be able to vary a height of the layers ofconductors during the production of the winding layer.

The winding method is based on the use of the storage devices 61 whichare shown in FIG. 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b , and are designed to be putinto place in succession on the winding unit 54. Each storage device 61consists of a globally parallelepiped element with longitudinalorientation.

Each storage device 61 comprises transverse notches 69 arranged in twostages 70, 71, which open transversely into the lateral faces of thestorage device 61. These notches 69, which are delimited in pairs byteeth 72, are distributed longitudinally according to a constant pitchalong the storage device 61.

In the embodiment in FIG. 11a and 11b , each storage device 61 has a lowstage 70 provided with small teeth 72, and a high stage 71 provided withlarge teeth 72, i.e. teeth 72 which are higher than the small teeth 72of the low stage 70. The large teeth 72 can comprise lateral cut-outs 74on their longitudinal ends side, in order to permit the passage of thekeys 66. These notches 69 are designed to receive the segment structures38 of the winding layer 52.

The low stage 70 comprises a successive number of notches 69 equal tothe number of phases, in this case six notches 69. The high stage 71comprises a number of notches 69 equal to the number of phases less one,i.e. in this case five notches 69.

These storage devices 61 comprise so-called double fitting forms, inorder to carry out fitting in series and in parallel of the storagedevices 61 with one another. For this purpose, at one of itslongitudinal ends, each storage device 61 comprises a type of tongue 76which is designed to cooperate with a recess 77 with a complementaryform of an adjacent storage device 61 positioned in series.

In addition, because of the stepped configuration of the storage devices61, two storage devices 61 can cooperate with one another by positioningthem opposite one another. The positioning is carried out such that theteeth 72 of the low stage 70 of a first storage device 61 are situatedopposite the teeth 72 of the high stage 71 of a second storage device61, and the teeth 72 of the high stage 71 of the first storage device 61are situated opposite the teeth 72 of the low stage 70 of the secondstorage device 61. These storage devices 61, between which the windinglayer 52 is positioned, can thus ensure guiding and retention of theconductors of the layer 52.

In addition, it is also possible to use another embodiment of thestorage devices 61 shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b , with a low stage 70without a tooth 72. These storage devices 61, which also make itpossible to provide double fitting, will be used in an area of levelcompensation 80 of the winding layer 52, in order to limit the stressesin the conductors of the layer 52 during the winding of the layer 52around the stator. This is described in greater detail hereinafter.

A description is provided hereinafter of the different steps of thewinding method based on the use of a single wire 44 per phase windingE1-E6, i.e. six wires for a hexaphase winding. Persons skilled in theart will be able to adapt the winding to a pentaphase or heptaphaseembodiment. The wires 44 can each be obtained from a container, notrepresented, in which a coil of wire 44 is placed.

More specifically, the method comprises a step of pre-forming,consisting of displacing the winding unit 54 relative to the bundle ofconductors 37, such as to obtain a bundle of conductors 37 which, foreach phase winding E1-E6, has at least two loop structures 39 and atleast three segment structures 38. Two of the said segment structures 38are positioned such as to be able to be arranged in the same notch 28 inthe stator 15. The two loop structures 39 connect respectively the twosegment structures 38 superimposed on the third segment structure 38.The two segment structures 38 are positioned facing one another on bothsides of the winding unit 54. This step corresponds to obtaining theirregular part 47 of the winding.

This pre-forming step makes it possible to double the number ofconductors 37 relative to the initial number of wires 44, such that thebundle of conductors 37 which supplies the winding unit 54 after thisstep is equal to 12, as can be seen in FIG. 10.

A formation step is then carried out, consisting of displacing thewinding unit 54 relative to the bundle of conductors 37, such as to formon a storage device 61 a portion of each of the phase windings E1-E6,each comprising two conductors 37 with at least one loop structure 39and at least two segment structures 38, the said loop structure 39connecting the two segment structures 38. The step of formation of thephase windings E1-E6 is carried out such that segment structures 38 oftwo conductors 37 which constitute a single phase winding E1-E6 (i.e.obtained from a single wire 44) are positioned alternately in a lowerlayer and an upper layer of the winding layer 52. This step correspondsto obtaining the regular winding part 46.

For this purpose, after putting a storage device 61 into place on thewinding unit 54 opposite the guide head 57, the maneuvering device 60 isactivated, such as to displace in translation the guide head 57 and theassociated bundle of conductors 37 relative to the winding unit 54. Thebundle of conductors 37 is displaced in the direction opposite thestorage unit 65, according to the arrow F1 and according to a step Pcorresponding to the number of phases, i.e. in this case a step of sixnotches 69.

A key 66 is put into place on the side opposite the guide head 57, inorder to ensure maintenance of the tension of the bundle of conductors37 during the winding. The winding step is then carried out, consistingof turning the winding unit 54 relative to the bundle of conductors 37by 180° according to the arrow F2. The bundle of wires 44 is thusunwound, which has the effect of filling the storage device 61.

Then, the unit 55 for conveying conductors 37 and the initial storagedevice 61 are translated together in the direction of the storage unitof the winding 65 according to the step P corresponding to the number ofphases, i.e. in this case a step of six notches. This translation isthus carried out according to the arrow F3.

A new storage device 61 is positioned such that the notches 69 of thehigh stage 71 of the new storage device 61 are situated opposite thenotches 69 of the low stage 70 of the preceding storage device 61, andthe notches 69 of the low stage 70 of the new storage device 61 receivethe conductors 37 during the next winding.

The preceding steps are repeated until a winding layer 52 is obtainedwhich covers a circumference of the stator 15.

The method additionally comprises a compensation step, consisting ofcompensating for a change of level of the layer 52 when a winding of thelayer 52 covers a circumference of the stator 15. For this purpose, withthe formation of the plurality of phase windings E1-E6 being carried outby turning the winding unit 54 in the direction given according to thearrow F2, when the layer 52 has reached a length which is substantiallyequal to the circumference of the stator 15, the compensation step iscarried out, consisting of carrying out a step of formation of the saidplurality of phase windings E1-E6 by turning in a direction F2′ oppositethe said given direction (i.e. a direction of rotation opposite thearrow F2), such as to form at least one loop structure 39 and at leasttwo segment structures 38 for each of the phase windings E1-E6. Once thecompensation step has been carried out, the formation of the phasewindings E1-E6 is continued around the winding unit 54, by turning inthe said given direction according to the arrow F2.

In fact, it is specified that, when the layer 52 is wound around thestator 15, radial offsetting exists at the moment of the change of layerafter a circumference of the stator. In fact, the layer 52 must then besuperimposed on a layer of the preceding winding.

The compensation step thus makes it possible to produce areas ofcompensation of level 80 which can be seen in FIGS. 14 and 15 b,accompanying the radial offsetting of the layer 52 in the location of achange of turn. For this purpose, the areas 80 have a difference oflevel with a form complementary to the difference of level which existsin the location of a change of turn of the layer around the stator 15.The offsetting of height of the layer of winding 52 corresponds to aheight of a layer of conductors 37 of the layer of winding 52. The stepof compensation followed by the step of formation thus makes it possibleto obtain offsetting of height of two layers of conductors 37.

This therefore minimises the mechanical stresses on the conductors 37 ofthe layer 52 in the location of a change of layer. Since it is wished toobtain eight layers of conductors 37, and the layer 52 comprises twolayers of conductors 37, the layer 52 has a number of areas ofcompensation 80 equal to the number of layers of conductors C1-C8required divided by two minus one, i.e. 8/2−1=3.

The preceding steps are repeated such as to obtain the layer of winding52 shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b positioned in the interior of an assembly81 of storage devices shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

It should be noted that there are two ways of producing a layer 52according to the invention, consisting either of the method previouslydescribed, or of a method which requires inversion of the directions ofrotation F2 and F2′ respectively at the moment of the step of formationand at the moment of the step of compensation.

The layer 52 obtained comprises two layers of conductors, with anirregular part 47 at one of its ends, and at its other end the phaseinputs I1-I6 and outputs O1-O6, with the part of the layer whichsupports these inputs and outputs being known hereinafter in thedocument as the connections part 73.

The layer 52 is put into place on a modular transfer comb 83 which canbe seen in FIGS. 16a and 16b , comprising notches 84 which are delimitedin pairs by teeth 85. The notches 84 in the comb 83 have dimensionssimilar to those of the stator 15. The comb 83 is fitted such as to bemobile in translation on a rail 86. For this purpose, the comb 83comprises in its lower part a cavity 87 which extends longitudinally,and is designed to cooperate with the rail 86.

More specifically, the modular comb 83 consists of two end parts 88 and89, as well as of a plurality of central 90 and intermediate 91 layerchange parts.

More specifically, the parts 88 and 89, which can be seen respectivelyin FIGS. 17 and 20, are substantially identical. These parts 88 and 89are designed to receive respectively the irregular part 47 and theconnections part 73. In addition, the central parts 90 are designed toreceive the portions of the layer 52 corresponding to a circumference ofthe stator 15 (cf. FIG. 19), whereas the intermediate parts 91 aredesigned to receive the areas of compensation 80 (cf. FIG. 18). Thecentral parts 90 and the intermediate layer change parts 91 abut oneanother alternately.

The modular comb 83 can thus be adapted to the configuration of thewinding 17 of the stator 15, in particular to the number of layers C1-C8and to the circumference of the stator 15, by modifying simply thedimensions and the number of the central parts 90 and the intermediateparts 91. The notches 84 situated at a junction 95 between two parts88-91 preferably have an opening larger than the other notches 84. Inaddition, each part 88-91 of the comb 83 preferably compriseslongitudinal grooves 98, in this case two of them, in order to permitthe passage of guides 107 with an inclined surface, which make possiblethe transfer of the layer of winding 52 to an annular spindle 105, asdescribed more specifically hereinafter.

The layer of winding 52 comprises two layers of conductors 37superimposed on one another. A distinction is therefore made between alower layer of conductors 37 situated on the notch 84 base side of thecomb, and an upper layer situated on the notch 84 opening side of thecomb.

As can be seen in FIG. 19, each conductor 37 of the layer 52 obtainedforms longitudinal undulations comprising in succession a segmentstructure 38 which is received in an associated notch, a loop structure39 which extends opposite the lower lateral face of the comb 83, aconsecutive segment structure 38 which is received in an associatedconsecutive notch 84, and a loop structure 39 which extends opposite theupper lateral face of the comb 83.

The loop structures 39 are arranged alternately on both sides of thecomb 83, i.e. they are offset longitudinally by a step equivalent to thedistance between two consecutive segment structures 38.

In a manner similar to those of the stator 15 body 16, the notches 84 inthe comb are associated in series with the conductors 37 of a phasewinding E1-E6. Thus, the notches 84 of a series of notches 84 receivethe segment structures 38 of the conductors 37 constituting a phasewinding E1-E6. Each series of notches 84 is associated with one of thesix phase windings E1-E6. Thus, two consecutive notches 84 of a singleseries of notches 84 are separated by notches, each of which belongs toone of the other series of notches 84. The notches 84 of each set ofnotches associated with a phase winding E1-E6 are thus distributed onthe transfer comb 83 with a constant step which is equal to the numberof phases, i.e. in this case with a step of six notches 84. In otherwords, the segment structures 38 are inserted in the notches 84 in thecomb with a polar step which is equal to the polar step of the stator15.

In a phase winding E1-E6, the successive segment structures 38 of asingle conductor 37 are positioned alternately in an inner layer and anouter layer on most of the length of the comb 83. Thus, for a pair ofconductors 37 a, 37 b obtained from a single wire 44 and in a givennotch in the series, the segment structure 38 of the conductor 37 a isin the layer C1, whereas the segment structure 38 of the conductor 37 bis situated in the layer C2. The segment structure 38 of the conductor37 a is in the layer C2 of the successive notch in the series, whereasthe segment structure 38 of the conductor 37 b is situated in the layerC1. In all cases, the two segment structures 38 are superimposed on oneanother in each notch 84.

In addition, for two adjacent notches 84 of a series of notchesassociated with a phase winding E1-E6, the layer of winding 52 has twoloop structures 39 situated on both sides of the comb 83 connectingsegment structures 38 which are situated in the said adjacent notches84. Thus, the loop structure 39 of one of the conductors 37 a whichconnects the segment structures 38 received in the two aforementionedadjacent notches 84 is arranged axially above the upper face of the body16, whereas the loop structure 39 of the other conductor 37 b whichconnects the segment structures 38 received in the two aforementionedadjacent notches 84 is arranged axially below the lower face of the body16. The relationship is inverted for the two following adjacent notches84.

In addition, for two adjacent notches 84 in the series associated with aphase winding E1-E6, the loop structure 39 of the conductor 37 aconnects a segment structure 38 belonging to the lower layer of thelayer 52 to a segment structure 38 belonging to an upper layer of thelayer 52, whereas the loop structure 39 of the other conductor 37 bconnects a segment structure 38 belonging to an upper layer of the layer52 to a segment structure 38 belonging to a lower layer of the layer 52.The relationship is inverted for the two following adjacent notches 84.

The winding layer 52 also has a discontinuity. In fact, the layer 52comprises a so-called “regular” part in which the segment structures 38of each phase winding E1-E6 are each connected, via loop structures 39,to two segment structures 38 which are situated in two different notches84. The layer 52 also comprises a so-called “irregular” part obtainedupon completion of the pre-forming step, in which at least one segmentstructure 38 of each phase winding E1-E6 is connected to two segmentstructures 38 which are superimposed axially relative to one another ina single notch 84. In addition, the areas of compensation 80 previouslydescribed are situated in the intermediate parts 91 of the comb 83.

The number of notches 84 in the comb 83 corresponding to the length ofthe winding layer 52 is determined according to the number of layers ofconductors 37 of each phase winding E1-E6, and according to the numberof notches 28 in the body 16, such that the layer 52 makes it possibleto form a whole number of layers of conductors. In the case when it iswished to form eight layers of conductors 37 on a body 16 comprising 96notches, the comb 83 comprises 96×4+5=390 notches. The number 6corresponds to the six notches of the irregular part 47, in the case ofa hexaphase stator. In other words, the length of the winding layer 52is substantially equal to N/2 times the circumference of the stator 15,N being the number of layers of conductors 37 required in the woundstator 15. N is equal to two or more.

Preferably, a step is also carried out of pressing the chignons of thewinding 17 by means of a forming tool 100 shown in FIG. 21. This formingtool 100 comprises for this purpose two clamping plates 101, betweenwhich there are positioned the loop structures 39 which extendprojecting from a side of the comb 83, before controlled compression ofthe said loop structures 39 between the two plates 101 according to anaxial direction. This therefore reduces the thickness of the layer 52,in order to obtain the required chignon dimension. The modular comb 83also makes it possible to maintain the spacing of the conductors 37during the forming of the chignon.

After the winding layer 52 has been put into place on the transfer comb83, and the step of forming of the chignons, the method for productionof the wound stator 15 comprises a step of transfer of the conductors 37of the layer 52 situated in the notches 84 in the comb 83 to the annularspindle 105. This step consists globally of winding the layer 52 ofconductors 37 around the annular spindle 105 in order to form the layersof the phase windings E1-E6. This winding of the layer 52 can be carriedout starting with one of the two ends of the layer 52, i.e. theirregular part 47, or the connections part 73.

FIGS. 22 and 23 represent the different elements which make it possibleto implement this step consisting of an annular spindle 105, a casing106 for guiding of the annular spindle 105 in displacement relative tothe transfer comb 83, and two longitudinal guides 107.

As can be seen in greater detail in FIG. 22, the annular spindle 105 isan element of revolution with a main axis Z which comprises notches 109provided in the outer cylindrical face of the annular spindle 105, andopening axially into the axial end faces of the annular spindle 105.

The distance between the outer radial ends of two adjacent notches 109of the annular spindle 105 is equal to the distance between two adjacentnotches 84 in the transfer comb 83. The number of notches 109 in theannular spindle 105 is equal to the number of notches 28 in the stator15 body 16, i.e. in this case the annular spindle 105 comprises 96notches.

The annular spindle 105 additionally comprises a central hub 112 whichis secured on the inner cylindrical face of the annular spindle 105.This hub 112 is provided with a central opening 113 which permits thepassage of a shaft (not represented) in order to permit driving inrotation of the annular spindle 105 around its axis Z.

The casing 106 comprises a bore 114 which is coaxial to the annularspindle 105, and in which the annular spindle 105 is received such as tobe free to rotate around its axis Z. The bore 114 in the housing 106opens into the lower face of the housing 106, in order to permit thetransfer of the conductors 37 to the annular spindle 105.

The guides 107 are designed to be received in the longitudinal grooves98 in the transfer comb 83. Thus, the transfer comb 83 is guidedlongitudinally without play during this step of transfer of the windinglayer 52 around the annular spindle 105.

Each guide 107 comprises an upper face in the form of a ramp, theinclination of which is determined such that each upper face can besupported below the segment structures 38 of the conductors 37, such asto drive the conductors 37 progressively upwards, for their transfer tothe annular spindle 105.

According to the embodiment represented in FIG. 23, the upper face ofeach guide 107 is flat, and is inclined relative to a horizontal plane.However, it will be understood that the form of the upper face of eachguide 107 can be different, for example the upper face can be convexcurved upwards, concave open at the top, or it can form two inclinedplanes according to different angles.

More specifically, the transfer step consists of rolling the annularspindle 105 on the upper face of the transfer comb 83, such that thenotches 109 in the annular spindle 105 come successively opposite thenotches 84 in the transfer comb 83, and without sliding of the annularspindle 105 relative to the transfer comb 83. For this purpose, one ofthe two ends of the layer 52 is positioned in the vicinity of thespindle 105, which receives firstly either the irregular part 47 or theconnection part 73.

During the rolling of the annular spindle 105, the comb 83 which isfitted on the rail 86 is displaced relative to the guides 107 in amanner which is synchronised with the rotation of the annular spindle105. The upper face of each guide 107 is then supported at the topagainst the segment structures 38 of the conductors 37 which aresituated at the lower end of each notch 84 in the transfer comb 83.Thus, the upper faces of the guides 107 make it possible to transfersimultaneously the segment structures 38 and the loop structures 39 ofthe conductors 37 which form the two layers of the winding layer 52.

As previously stated, the annular spindle 105 comprises a number ofnotches 109 which is equal to the number of notches 28 in the stator 15body 16, and the transfer comb 83 comprises a number of notches 84 whichis greater than the number of notches 28 in the body 16.

Consequently, the annular spindle 105 carries out a plurality of turnsaround its axis Z when it is rolled on the upper surface of the transfercomb 83, and the layer 52 with its two layers of conductors 37 is woundaround the spindle 105, forming coaxial spirals.

Since the annular spindle 105 carries out a plurality of turns aroundits axis Z, each of the notches 109 receives in succession the segmentstructures 38 which were received in a plurality of notches 84 in thetransfer comb 83. In this case, the annular spindle 105 carries out fourturns at the irregular part 47 around its axis Z, such that each notch109 in the spindle 105 receives eight segment structures 38 (two perturn). This therefore provides a winding with eight layers of conductors37.

In addition, the width of each notch 109 in the annular spindle 105 issubstantially equal to the width of each of the conductors 37.Consequently, the segment structures 38 of the conductors 37 aresuperimposed radially in the notches 109 in the annular spindle 105according to a single column.

In the case when the wire 44 used is a wire with a round cross-section,before the transfer of the layer 52 to the spindle 105, a step iscarried out of stamping the segment structures 38 shown in FIG. 32. Forthis purpose, the winding layer 52 is put into place on a stamping comb119 comprising notches 120 which are delimited in pairs by braces 121obtained from a magnetic plate 118.

The braces 121 are preferably profiled on their free end side, such thateach notch 120 has a widened end in order to facilitate the insertion ofthe segment structures 38 inside the notches 120 in the comb 119.Added-on lower wedges 122 will previously have been positioned at thebase of the notches 120 in the comb, before the insertion of the segmentstructures 38.

Added-on upper wedges 123 are put into place above the segmentstructures 38. A width of the lower 122 and upper 123 wedges correspondsto a required width of the conductors 37 after stamping. The upperwedges 123 have a form complementary to the notches 120 in the comb 119.

An upper plate 125 then ensures compression of the segment structures 38between the lower wedges 122 and the upper wedges 123. For this purpose,clamping means 129 ensure that the plates 118 and 125 are broughttowards one another, which has the effect of transforming the initialround cross-section of the segment structures 38 of the layer 52 into across-section with a square or rectangular form.

The use of the added-on wedges 122, 123 makes it possible to control thedeformation of the segment structures 38, and to facilitate the releaseof the conductors 37 from the die after the upper plate 123 has beenraised.

It will also be noted that a configuration of this type makes itpossible to maximise the filling of the notches 28 in the stator 15,whilst facilitating the formation of the winding chignons, in which theround cross-section of the conductors facilitates the folding in orderto form the winding 17 wave.

As a variant, only the lower wedges 122 are used, the segment structures38 then being compressed between the teeth of the upper plate 125 andthe lower wedges 122.

As a variant, the stamping step is carried out on a winding layer 52comprising a single layer of conductors 37, i.e. a single conductor 37per notch in the comb 119.

Since the winding 17 is produced from copper wires 44, the methodcomprises a step of heating to at least 150° C., for example 280° C., ofthe winding 17, before the stamping, in order to limit the macroscopicdeformation of the copper. The method can also comprise a step ofannealing after the stamping, such that the copper regains its initialmacroscopic structure.

As a variant, the winding is produced from aluminium wires. As avariant, the stamping step can also be implemented directly in thetransfer comb 83.

Alternatively, the stamping step is carried out before the step offormation of the winding layer 52. The stamping can then be carried outby a set of rotary rollers 135 between which a linear conductor 37passes. For this purpose, the set of rollers 135 comprises a first pairof vertical rollers 136 with a horizontal axis, and a second pair ofhorizontal rollers 137 with a vertical axis. The rollers 136, 137 ofeach pair are positioned opposite one another, whilst being slightlyoffset from one another in order to permit the rolling of the conductor37.

The length of the stamped portions and the length of the non-stampedportions depends on the dimensions of the stator 15, in particular onthe length of the notches 28 and the distance between two successivenotches 28 in a series of notches associated with a phase winding E1-E6.

Thus, the rollers 136, 137 will be in the stamping position along thelength of the notches 28, as represented in FIG. 33. The rollers 136,137 will then be spaced from the conductor 37 on the length of thechignons corresponding to the length between two successive notches 28.This therefore provides the conductor 37 shown in FIG. 35a , whichcomprises stamped parts corresponding to the segment structures 38, andnon-stamped parts corresponding to the loop structures 39. The conductor37 can thus be formed in the winding layer 52 according to FIG. 35b ,with two parallel segment structures 38 connected to one another by aloop structure 39.

In the embodiment in FIG. 34, the stamping is carried out by pressing bymeans of a device 141 provided with two symmetrical clamps 141 which aremobile radially, and a compression element 142 which makes it possibleto carry out deformations of the conductor 37 on four faces. The twoclamps 141 form a slight angle between one another, such as tofacilitate exit of the segment structures 38 of the conductor 37 afterstamping.

The stamping can also be carried out on a bundle of conductors 37 inparallel by means of the comb 119 as previously described, or by meansof a series of sets of rotary rollers 135 or devices 141.

As previously stated, it will be possible to carry out a heating step,and if applicable an annealing step, before and after the step ofstamping and/or the step of forming the chignons.

In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 24a , the method comprises a step ofputting a continuous notch insulator 145 into place inside the notches28 in the stator 15. For this purpose, gauges 34 cooperate with therecesses 33 in the outer indexing means 32, such as to position a notch28 in the stator 15 facing the continuous notch insulator 145. A wedge146 which is displaced radially from the interior to the exterior of thestator 15 then ensures placing of the notch insulator 145 against theinner walls of each notch 28. The notch insulator 145 thus covers theinner faces opposite of the notch 28, as well as the base of the notch28 corresponding to the part of the inner periphery of the yoke 26 whichextends between two consecutive teeth 25. The operation is recommencedby positioning a new notch 28 facing the notch insulator 145, until allthe notches 28 are covered by the continuous notch insulator 145.

In fact, once the notch insulator 145 has been put into place inside thenotches 28, a step is carried out of transfer of the winding 17 from theannular spindle 105 to the stator 15 body 16, as shown in FIGS. 26a and26b . The outer indexing means 32 make it possible to ensure accuratepositioning of the annular spindle 105 around the stator 15 body 16. Theannular spindle 105 is received coaxially on the body 16, in thecircular receptacle which is delimited by the inner cylindrical face ofthe body 16. The diameter of the outer cylindrical face of the annularspindle 105 is globally equal to the diameter of the inner cylindricalface of the body 16.

The means 32 for indexing of the stator 15 also make it possible toposition the stator 15 angularly relative to the annular spindle 105around its axis Z, such that each notch 109 in the annular spindle 105is opposite a notch 28 in the body 16, as can be seen in FIGS. 26a and26 b.

The installation also comprises blades 148 for radial insertion whichcan be seen in FIGS. 27a and 27b , each extending on a plane which isradial relative to the axis X, Z of the spindle 105 and of the body 16.An insertion blade 148 is associated with each notch 109 in the annularspindle 105. The plates 148 are identical, and are distributed angularlyaround the axis Z of the annular spindle 105. In this case, the annularspindle 105 comprises 96 notches, and the installation consequentlycomprises 96 insertion blades. These blades 148 extend on the medianradial plane of the associated notch 109, and the thickness of eachblade 148 is slightly smaller than the width of the associated notch109.

More specifically, as can be seen in FIG. 27a , at the start of thetransfer step, each blade 148 is situated radially such that the outerradial end edge of each blade is situated at the innermost layer ofconductors situated in the spindle 105.

When the transfer step is implemented by expansion of the conductors 37,the insertion blades 148 are displaced radially relative to the axis Zof the annular spindle 105 according to the arrow F4, such that eachblade 148 is displaced radially in the associated notch 109 towards theexterior of the annular spindle 105, simultaneously entraining thesegment structures 38, such that these segment structures 38 aredisplaced in the associated notch 28 in the body 16, thus forming thesegment structures 38 of the phase windings E1-E6. The displacement ofthe blades 148 is obtained by applying an axial force according to thearrow F5 (cf. FIG. 26b ) which is transformed by a mechanical systeminto a radial force applied to the blades 148 according to the arrow F4.

On completion of the transfer phase, each blade 148 is situated radiallyrelative to the axis Z of the annular spindle 105, such that its outerradial end edge is situated globally at the outer cylindrical face ofthe annular spindle 105. All the segment structures 38 which had beenreceived in each notch 109 in the annular spindle 105 have migrated intoan associated notch 28 in the body 16.

This therefore provides the wound stator 15 previously described. Itwill be noted that the segment structures 38 of the winding which aresituated at the outer periphery of the spindle 105 are located bytranslation at the outer periphery of the stator 15. Similarly, thesegment structures 38 of the winding which are situated at the innerperiphery of the spindle 105 are located by translation at the innerperiphery of the stator 15.

According to a preferred embodiment, all the insertion blades 148 areentrained simultaneously in radial displacement towards the exteriorinto the associated notches 109 in the annular spindle 105. Thus, allthe segment structures 38 are transferred simultaneously. The width ofeach notch 28 in the body 16 is substantially equal to the width of eachconductor 37, such that the radial stack of the conductors 37 accordingto a single column is conserved in the notches 28.

It will also be noted that the use of the continuous notch insulator 145makes it possible to guarantee correct positioning of the notchinsulator 145 inside the notches 28 during an insertion of the segmentstructures 38 of the winding 17, since the ends of the notch insulator145 which are situated on the radial open side of each notch 28 alongthe corners of the teeth 31 are connected to one another, and thereforecannot be thrust back towards the base of the notches 28 during theinsertion of the segment structures 38.

Once the step of transfer of the winding 17 has been carried out, a stepis carried out of cutting the notch insulator 145 shown in FIG. 24b .The purpose of this step is to remove the parts 149 of the notchinsulator 145 which extend between two successive notches 28, i.e. theparts 149 of the notch insulator 145 which extend against the inner faceof each tooth 25. The step of cutting the notch insulator 145 is carriedout by means of a mechanical tool 150 or by laser. The notch insulatorsthus individualised, situated inside each notch 28, will thus havecutting tracks along the rounded inner corners of the teeth 25 which aresituated on the axis X side of the stator 15.

As a variant, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25a and 25b , individualnotch insulators 195 are inserted in the notches 28 in the stator 15.Two consecutive notch insulators 195 are welded to one another in orderto ensure retention of the notch insulators 195 inside the notches 28during insertion of the conductors 37 of the winding 17.

For this purpose, each notch insulator 195 comprises walls which aredesigned to cover the inner faces of the notches 28 opposite, as well asthe base of the notch 28. In addition, each notch insulator 195comprises fins 196 obtained from the walls, placed against the innerfaces opposite. These fins 196 are folded back and placed against atleast one axial end radial face of the stator body 16. The fins 196 ofeach notch insulator 195 are welded together with the corresponding fins196 of adjacent notch insulators 195. In other words, two adjacent fins196 of two adjacent notch insulators 195 are welded to one another.

The notch insulators 195 can be welded to one another on a single sideof the stator 15 or on both sides of the stator 15. Preferably, in orderto facilitate the welding, the fins 196 are superimposed on one another.As a variant, the welding is carried out edge to edge.

A step is preferably carried out of pressing the winding chignons 163formed by the loop structures 39 extending on both sides of the stator15, by means of a tool 162 shown in FIG. 28.

For this purpose, the tool 162 comprises a plurality of fixed retentionelements 165, which are designed to be put into place against an outerperiphery of each winding chignon 163. These elements 165 are positionedside-by-side according to an annular form.

A central cam 166 is then turned such as to displace pressing elements167 radially in succession in the direction of the correspondingretention element 165.

The winding chignons 163 are thus pressed by successive parts, each partbeing pressed between the retention element 165 and the correspondingpressing element 167 which is then in a so-called “active” position. Thepressing elements 167 can comprise return means in order to make themreturn from their active position to their initial position, once theyhave been displaced by the cam 166.

In addition, since the teeth 25 of the stator 15 are without toothroots, in order to facilitate the insertion of the segment structures38, a step of deformation is preferably carried out, by means of a punch170, of segment structures 38 situated in the radial layer of conductors37 closest to an axis of the stator 15. This deformation stepillustrated in FIGS. 29a to 29c makes it possible to guarantee theretention of the segment structures 38 inside the notches 28, beforecarrying out the impregnation step. In fact, the deformation by means ofthe punch 170 permits creeping of the material towards the inner facesof the notches 28, such that the deformed edges of the segmentstructures 38 are supported against the inner faces of the notches 28.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29a , threedeformations 171 are produced, distributed axially on each of thesegment structures 38 situated on the inner periphery of the stator.

The deformations 171 are carried out such that a ratio between a lengthL3 of a deformation and a distance L4 between two successivedeformations 171 is contained between 0.8 and 1.2. The end deformations171 are spaced from corresponding axial ends of the segment structures38 by at least 3 mm (cf. length L5). The deformations 171 are providedby protuberances 172 with a corresponding form belonging to the punch.

Alternatively, as represented in FIG. 29b , two deformations 171 areproduced, distributed axially on each of the segment structures 38situated on the inner periphery of the stator. Each deformation 171 isspaced from the corresponding axial ends of the segment structure 38 byat least 3 mm. For this purpose, the punch 170 has two protuberances 172with a corresponding form.

Alternatively, as represented in FIG. 29c , a single axially elongatedeformation 171 is produced on each of the segment structures 38situated on the inner periphery of the stator. The deformation 171 isproduced such that the ends of this deformation 171 are spaced from thecorresponding axial ends of the segment structures 38 by at least 3 mm.For this purpose, the punch 170 has a protuberance 172 with acorresponding form.

On the final product, the segment structures 38 of the layer closest tothe axis of the stator 15, or inner layer, comprise deformation tracksproduced by the punch 170.

Once the winding 17 is installed on the stator 15, an impregnation stepis carried out, consisting of pouring liquid varnish around theexcitation winding 17, and more particularly around the two chignons ofthe winding 163. The varnish which is heated can be introduced in theliquid state drop by drop into the wires 44 of the winding 17. Thevarnish then cools and polymerises. The varnish is for example based onepoxy resin.

In a variant embodiment of the stator 15 shown in FIG. 30, each tooth 25comprises two foldable tooth roots 174.

Before being folded, the tooth roots 174 are situated along the edges ofthe notches 28 which extend according to a substantially radial plane,such as to be released from the notches 28.

The tooth roots 174 each comprise a reduction of cross-section 175 attheir connection with each free end of the teeth 25. The reduction ofcross-section 175 is carried out in the face of the tooth root 174 whichfaces towards the notch. The tooth roots 174 preferably have a roundedend side. In the embodiment in FIG. 31a , the inner face of each tooth25 which extends between the two tooth roots 174 has a protuberance 176.In the embodiment in FIG. 31b , the inner face of each tooth 25 iswithout a protuberance 176.

After the step of insertion of the segment structures 83 in the notches28 by expansion of the blades 148, the tooth roots 174 are folded backtowards the interior of each notch 28 according to the arrows F6, suchas to close the notches 28 at least partially.

A configuration of this type makes it possible to improve the magneticperformance of the electrical machine, whilst permitting easy insertionof the segment structures 38 inside the notches 28.

In the embodiment in FIG. 36, the winding layer 52 is obtained fromimbrication between a first 181 and a second 182 under-layer. Theimbrication of the two under-layers is carried out such that firstly thefirst 181 and the second 182 under-layers have inputs I1-I6 and outputsO1-O6 which are all situated on the same side of the stator 15, andsecondly, the second under-layer 182 is offset relative to the firstlayer by a number of notches in the stator equal to the number ofphases, in this case six. This corresponds to the axial offsetting D inthe figure. This therefore facilitates the production of theconnections, taking into account the advantageous positioning of theinputs I1-I6 and the outputs O1-O6 on the same side of the stator 15.The first 181 and the second 182 under-layers are preferably identical.The two under-layers 181, 182 are preferably produced from the same setof wires 44. Each phase winding E1-E6 is produced from a single wire 44which connects the input Ii to the output Oi, for i ranging between 1and 6, in the case of a hexaphase stator.

The under-layers 181, 182 each have a length equal to N/2 times thecircumference of the stator 15, N being the number of layers ofconductors 37 required in the wound stator 15, N being equal to two ormore. The number N of layers of conductors 37 is for example equal totwo, four, six or eight. Preferably, the number N of layers ofconductors 37 is equal to eight.

The different steps of putting the layer 52 into place, installation ofthe layer 52 in the spindle 105, and transfer of the spindle winding 105to the stator 15 are identical to those previously described.

A description is provided hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 37a to 37cand 38a to 38c of the different types of coupling of the phase windingsE1-E6 provided by means of a interconnector 185 in the form of a portionof ring. This interconnector 185 is arranged between a chignon 163 ofthe winding 17 and diodes (not represented) of a voltage rectifierbridge. This interconnector 185 comprises electronic terminals B1-B6with axial orientation, the number of which is equal to the number ofphase windings E1-E6, and in this case is equal to six.

The terminals B1-B6 are distributed on the interconnector 185 accordingto two groups G1 and G2, each comprising the same number of terminalsB1-B3 and B4-B6. This number of electronic terminals corresponds to thenumber of phases divided by two, i.e. three terminals group G1, G2.

The angular distance K1 between a terminal of one of the groups G1, G2and the corresponding terminal of the other group G1, G2 is constant.Thus, the end terminal B1 the furthest to the left of one of the groupsG1 is separated from the end terminal B4 the furthest to the left of theother group G2 by the angular distance K1. The central terminal B2 ofthe first group G1 is separated from the central terminal B5 of thegroup G2 by the angular distance K1. The end terminal B3 furthest to theright of one of the groups G1 is separated from the end terminal B4furthest to the right of the other group G2 by the angular distance K1.The angular distance K1 is approximately 125°.

In the embodiments in FIGS. 37a and 38a , the ends 186 of the phasewindings E1-E6 corresponding to the inputs and the outputs are foldedback such as to be placed against the interconnector 185 according to aradial direction. These ends 186 are then welded on lugs 187 of theinterconnector 185 with axial orientation. In the variant represented inFIG. 39, the ends 186 extend axially, and are welded on lugs 187 of theinterconnector 185 with radial orientation. In all cases, theinterconnector 185 comprises two lugs 187 per phase.

The interconnector 185 comprises tracks 189 which connect the lugs 187electrically to the electronic terminals B1-B6.

A so-called “double three-phase” triangle coupling can be carried out,illustrated in FIGS. 37b and 37 c.

Coupling in the form of a triangle thus takes place of the first E1, thethird E3 and the fifth E5 phase windings, and secondly the second E2,the fourth E4 and the sixth E6 phase windings.

More specifically, the tracks 189 of the interconnector 185 thus ensureconnection of the inputs I1, 13 of the first and the third phasewindings E1 and E3 with the terminal B1. Tracks 189 also ensureconnection of an input IS of the fifth phase winding E5 and an output O1of the first phase winding E1 with the second terminal B2. Tracks 189ensure connection of an output O5 of the fifth phase winding E5 and anoutput O3 of the third phase winding E3 with the third terminal B3.

In addition, the interconnector 185 comprises tracks 189 for providingcorresponding connections for the phase windings E2, E4 and E6 accordingto FIGS. 37b and 37c . Thus, the tracks 189 of the interconnector 185then ensure a connection of the inputs 12, 14 of the second and fourthphase windings E2 and E4 with the terminal B4. Tracks 189 also ensure aconnection of an input 16 of the sixth phase winding E6 and an output O2of the second phase winding E2 with the terminal B5. Tracks 189 ensure aconnection of an output O4 of the fourth phase winding E4 and an outputO6 of the sixth phase winding E6 with the terminal B6.

Alternatively, the coupling carried out is a “double three-phase” starcoupling illustrated in FIGS. 38b and 38c . There is thus coupling inthe form of a star firstly of the first E1, the third E3 and the fifthE5 phase windings, and secondly of the second E2, the fourth E4 and thesixth E6 phase windings.

More specifically, tracks 189 ensure an interconnection at a neutralpoint situated on the interconnector 185 of the outputs of the first E1and the fifth E5 phase winding and the input of the third E3 phasewinding. A track 189 ensures a connection of the input I1 of the phasewinding E1 with the terminal B1. A track 189 ensures a connection of theinput 15 of the phase winding E5 with the terminal B2. A track 189ensures a connection of the output O3 of the phase winding E3 with theterminal B3.

The interconnector 185 comprises tracks 189 for production of thecorresponding connections for the phase windings E2, E4 and E6 accordingto FIGS. 38b and 38c . Thus, tracks 189 ensure interconnection at aneutral point situated on the interconnector 185 of the outputs of thesecond E2 and sixth E6 phase winding and of the input of the fourth E4phase winding. A track 189 ensures a connection of the input 12 of thephase winding E2 with the terminal B4. A track 189 ensures a connectionof the input 16 of the phase winding E6 with the terminal B5. A track189 ensures a connection of the output O4 of the phase winding E4 withthe terminal B6.

As a variant, it will be possible to produce a hybrid coupling in whichthere is coupling of the phase windings of one of the groups from out ofthe group E1-E3-E5 and the group E2-E4-E6 in the form of a star, and thephase windings of the other group in the form of a triangle.

Preferably, in order to ensure that the inputs/outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 arepositioned on the outer periphery of the stator, the first winding onthe spindle is the irregular part 47. This therefore prevents theinput-output wires from interfering with the rotor fan, taking intoaccount the absence of a tooth root, in order to retain these wires incertain embodiments.

A description is provided hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 40 to 43of different embodiments of the method which make it possible to adaptthe form of the winding chignons 163.

It should be noted that, on the transfer comb 83 as well as on thespindle 105, each conductor 37 is separated from the following one by adistance between centres corresponding to the distance between themiddle of the notch N input and the middle of the notch N+1 input, thisstep being invariable.

Contrary to this invariable step for a given stator 15, the height ofthe layers of conductors 37 is flexible, such that it is possible tovary the height of the chignons 163 on the finished stator 15. Inaddition, the height of the winding chignons 163 will vary according tothe position of the layers on the comb 83.

For a given portion of a conductor 37 of a phase winding constituted bytwo segment structures 38 connected by a loop structure 39, there isdefinition of a distance A corresponding to the length of the arc of acircle between the middle of the two notch inputs 109 of the annularspindle 105 which will receive the two conductors 37.

There is also definition of a distance B (greater than A) correspondingto the length of the arc of a circle between the middle of the twonotches 28 on the positioning diameter of the conductors 37 after thetransfer into the notches 28 in the stator 15 which will receive the twoconductors 37.

The height of the point C will decrease going away from the axis andwill increase going towards the axis, thus compensating for thevariations of distance between the segment structures 38. In otherwords, the segment structures 38 on a diameter (a) will, whilst beingtransferred axially towards the notches 28 in a diameter (b), bephysically distanced from one another.

Adaptation of the height of the layers of the winding 17 thus configuresa chignon height before transfer which, after transfer, will generate adifferent height (derived from the sum of the heights of layers ofconductors derived from the winding 17 and from the height lost afterthe transfer of the conductors 37).

More specifically, in order to obtain winding chignons 163, the heightof which increases when being displaced from the outer periphery of thestator 15 towards the axis X, the layers of conductors 37 which are putinto place on the annular spindle 105 have different heights, i.e. thehighest layers on the spindle 105 are situated on the inner periphery,and the lowest layers are situated on the outer periphery (the spindle105 being the image of the notches 28 in the stator 15).

After transfer, each layer loses height proportionally according to itsposition on the spindle 105 and its final position in the stator 15.More specifically, the further the layer is situated on the outer layer,the more it loses height of the chignon when it is transferred from thespindle to the stator.

Thus, in order to obtain in the stator 15 an outer layer of the chignonwhich is lower than the others, it is sufficient, in the spindle 105,for the layers all to have the same height. It is also possible, inorder to accentuate the difference of height between the inner layer andthe outer layer in the chignon, to provide in the spindle 105 an outerlayer with a height which is shorter than the inner layer.

In order to obtain an arrangement of this type, the end of the layer 52which is wound first on the spindle 105 must have a greater height thanthe remainder of the layer 52.

For this purpose, use is made on the winding unit 51 of the keys 66, thespacing of which varies in order to vary the height of the layer 52.

Thus, in the first case, when the end of the layer 52 which is woundfirst on the spindle 105 is the irregular part 47, the spacing betweenthe two keys 66 is reduced as the layer is formed.

On the contrary, in the second case, when the end of the layer 52 whichis wound first on the spindle 102 is the connection part, the spacingbetween the two keys 66 is increased as the layer 52 is formed.

In fact, as previously described, the layer 52 is always formed from theirregular part 47.

In the first case, the technical advantage is obtained that theinputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 are positioned on the outer periphery of thestator 15.

On the contrary in the second case, the inputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 arepositioned on the inner periphery of the stator 15.

The advantage of a configuration of this type is a form of the chignon163 which matches the form of the bearing, and makes it possible tooptimise the dimensions of the machine, and in particular its length. Inaddition, this makes possible better exposure to the flow of airgenerated by the rotor.

In order to obtain flat winding chignons 163, as illustrated in FIGS.42a and 42b , the heights of the layers of conductors 37 put into placeon the spindle 105 are different, in order to compensate only for theloss of height associated with the phenomenon of transfer of the layersof conductors 37 from the diameter (a) to the diameter (b).

In order to obtain an arrangement of this type, the end of the layer 52which is wound first on the spindle 105 must have a height which isshorter than the remainder of the layer 52.

Thus, in the first case, when the end of the layer which is wound firston the spindle 105 is the irregular part 47, the spacing between the twokeys 66 is increased as the layer 52 is formed.

On the contrary, in the second case, when the end of the layer 52 whichis wound first on the spindle 105 is the connection part, the spacingbetween the two keys 66 is decreased as the layer 52 is formed.

In the first case, the technical advantage obtained is that theinputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 are positioned on the outer periphery of thestator.

On the contrary, in the second case, the inputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 arepositioned on the inner periphery of the stator.

The result is that a homogenous height of winding chignons 163 isobtained. This makes it possible to optimise the length of the machine,and to obtain better contact between the layers of conductors 37, inorder to optimise the transfer of heat from the layer opposite the rotorto the layer opposite the bearing.

In order to obtain winding chignons 163 with a height which decreaseswhen going from the outer periphery of the stator 15 towards the axis X,as illustrated in FIGS. 43a and 43b , the layers of conductors 37 putinto place on the annular spindle 105 have different heights, i.e. thelayers of conductors 37 which are highest on the spindle 105 aresituated on the outer periphery, and the layers of conductors 37 whichare lowest are situated on the inner periphery.

In order to obtain an arrangement of this type, the end of the layer 52which is wound first on the spindle 105 must have a height lower thanthe remainder of the layer 52.

Thus, in the first case, when the end of the layer which is wound firston the spindle is the irregular part 47, the spacing between the twokeys 66 is increased as the layer 52 is formed.

On the contrary, in the second case, when the end of the layer 52 whichis wound first on the spindle is the connection part, the spacingbetween the two keys 66 is decreased as the layer is formed.

In the first case, the technical advantage obtained is that theinputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 are positioned on the outer periphery of thestator.

On the contrary, in the second case, the inputs-outputs O1-O6 I1-I6 arepositioned on the inner periphery of the stator.

The advantage of a configuration of this type is the optimisation of theflow of air in the machine, which assists the exchanges between theinner diameter and outer diameter of the machine.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 44a, 44b, 45a, 45b , the stator 15 body 16 isformed by two elements assembled together, i.e. a central core 201 whichis designed to receive the conductors 37, as well as an added-on yoke202 which is designed to be positioned around the central core 201. Thecentral core 201 as well as the yoke 202 are stacks of plates. Thecentral core 201 comprises notches 28 which are open on its outerperiphery side, and are connected to one another on the inner peripheryside by tooth roots 203 which each extend on both sides of a free end ofa tooth 25. These tooth roots 203 thus define areas of connection 204between the free ends of the teeth 25.

A configuration of this type makes it possible to facilitate theinsertion of the winding 17 via the open outer end of the notches 28,whilst being able to benefit from the tooth roots 25, which improve themagnetic performance of the machine.

As shown in FIG. 48a , the central core 201 can be solid in the areas ofconnection 204 between two successive teeth 25. Alternatively, as shownin FIG. 48b , the central core 201 is perforated in the areas ofconnection 204 between two successive teeth 25.

In addition, the stack of plates of the yoke 202 can extend over theentire height of the central core 201 or over half the height of thecentral core 201. The stack of plates of the yoke 202 can be flat beforeits deformation by bending to a cylindrical form in order to put it intoplace around the central core 201 (cf. FIG. 45a ). Alternatively, theyoke 26 can initially have a form of an arc in order to facilitate itspositioning around the central core 201 (cf. FIG. 45b ).

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 46, a flat plate 207 isused with a height which is lower than that of the central core 201,such as to create a winding of this plate 207 around the central core201. The operation of winding of the plate 207 is repeated as many timesas necessary in order to obtain the height of the central core 201. Thisoperation can be carried out with a plurality of plates 207 stackedaxially and wound around a plurality of turns.

The central core 201 can be secured on the added-on yoke 202 by fittingwith a triangular form (cf. FIG. 47a ), fitting with a round form (cf.FIG. 47b ), or fitting in the form of a rung (cf. FIG. 47c ). The yoke202 or the plate 207 then have a succession of flat areas 208 andhollows 209 with a corresponding form (triangular, round or in the formof a rung), as can be seen in FIG. 45b , 46, and 47 a to 47 c. Thehollows 209 are designed to cooperate with the outer ends of the teeth25 with a complementary form. The flat areas 208 are designed to extendbetween two successive teeth 25, in order to form the base of thenotches 28. Alternatively, the yoke 202 is put into place around thecentral core 201 without fitting, as shown in FIG. 47 d.

A configuration of this type of the body 16 makes it possible to avoidhaving to carry out steps of transfer of the winding 17 from the spindle105 to the stator 15. In fact, in this case, it is possible to replacethe spindle 105 by the central core 201, such as to transfer the segmentstructures 38 directly from the comb 83 to the notches 28 in the centralcore 201.

For this purpose, a hub 112 is placed in the central part of the core201. The hub 112 is secured detachably on the tooth roots 203. Puttingthe hub 112 into place makes it possible to turn the central core 201during the insertion of the segment structures 38, from the comb 83 tothe notches 28. Once the winding 17 is installed inside the notches 28in the central core 201, the outer open face of the notches 28 is closedby means of the yoke 26, according to one of the techniques previouslydescribed. The hub 112 can then be removed.

According to an embodiment described in FIG. 49, a flat stator 15 isproduced, comprising a flat body 16 formed by a set of sheets of stackedplates. The flat body 16 is provided with a flat yoke 26 which extendssubstantially on a plane, and teeth 25 which extend substantiallyperpendicularly to the yoke 26. These teeth 25 delimit in pairs notches28 which are preferably provided with tooth roots 215. The length L6 ofthe flat stator 15 corresponds to the circumference of the stator 15,once the step of bending has been carried out according to the arrowsF7.

In order to obtain the flat stator 15, a prior step is carried out ofthermal bonding the sheets of plates 218 to one another. All the sheetsof plates 218 can be thermally bonded to one another. Alternatively onesheet out of N is thermally bonded, N being equal to 2 or more. Thesheets 218 which are not thermally bonded together are assembled to oneanother and to the sheets which are thermally bonded to one another byriveting by means of a rivet (not represented) which passes through theset of plates from one side to the other, or alternatively by welding.

The winding layer 52 previously described can be inserted in the notches28 in the flat stator 15. Since the winding layer 52 has a length whichis equal to a whole number M of times the circumference (to within theirregular part, six notches in the hexaphase case) of the stator 15, thewinding layer 52 is put into place according to M times the length ofthe stator 15, according to an outward and return path along the flatstator.

Once the winding layer 52 has been put into place, a step of bending theflat stator 15 is carried out, such as to form a wound stator 15 with aglobally cylindrical form shown in FIG. 50 without the winding 17, inorder to improve the clarity of the figure. The end edges 220 of thebent and wound stator are then welded to one another.

The thermal bonding of the sheets of plates 218 thus makes it possibleto limit the deformation of the sheets of plates 218, in particular thewidening of the teeth 25 during the step of bending of the stator 15.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 51 and 52, an edge plate 221 is placedagainst an end face of a line 220 of half-sets 222 of sheets of plates.The edge plate 221 is thicker than the sheets 218 of the set of plates.The edge plate 221 has a thickness which is equal to at least amillimetre. The end face against which the edge plate 221 is secured isperpendicular to a direction of longitudinal elongation D2 of the teeth25 (a single tooth 25 is represented in FIG. 51 in order to facilitatethe understanding).

The line 220 of half-sets 222 is then cut, for example by means of alaser, according to the plane P, in order to obtain two separatehalf-sets 222. Each half-set 222 has a length L7 which is substantiallyequal to the circumference of the stator 15, and a width L8 which issubstantially equal to half the height of the final stator 15. The twohalf-sets 222 are then assembled together according to the arrow F8,i.e. by turning one of the cut sets 222 back, such as to place againstone another the faces of the two half-sets 222 opposite the face whichsupports the edge plate 221.

This therefore provides a flat stator 15 comprising an edge plate 221which is placed at each of its ends corresponding to the axial ends ofthe cylindrical stator. The winding layer 52 is then put into place inthe notches 28 in the flat stator 15, as has previously been described.

The flat stator 15 is then bent in order to obtain a wound stator with aglobally cylindrical form represented in FIGS. 52 and 53 without itswinding 17. The end edges 220 of the bent stator 15 are then welded toone another.

As a variant, two half-sets 222 are produced, each in the form ofhalf-rings comprising two edge plates 221 placed on both sides on theaxial end faces. These half-sets 222 are assembled to one anotheraccording to their ends, after having put the winding layer 52 intoplace inside the notches 28 in the two half-sets 222. As a variant, twoedge plates 221 are placed on both sides of the flat stator 15 in FIG.49 before the bending step.

The half-sets 222 thus constitute sub-sets which are assembled to oneanother in order to obtain the stator body 15. As a variant, the set ofplates of the stator 15 is obtained by assembling more than twosub-sets. In this case, the two end sets each comprise an edge plate221.

In addition, in order to improve the mechanical strength of the stator15 during the operation of bending of the stator 15, the stator 15comprises at least one weld 224 provided inside at least one notch 28,as represented in FIGS. 54 and 55. “Weld provided inside the notch”means a weld 224 provided on an inner wall of a notch 28, preferably onthe base of a notch 28. Welds 224 are provided inside at least a quarterof the notches 28. Two successive welds 224 are spaced from one anotherby an angle K2 of less than 30°, as represented in FIG. 56. For a stator15 comprising 96 notches, welds are preferably provided inside one notchout of 12, or one notch out of 6.

In the embodiment in FIG. 57, a hollow 227 can be provided in a base ofeach notch 28. The hollow 227 is provided substantially in the middle ofthe base of the notch 28. A ratio between a depth of the hollow 227 andthe thickness of the yoke 26 is less than 25%. As a variant, two hollows228 represented in broken lines in FIG. 57 are provided in the base ofeach notch 28 (in the place of a single notch 227). The hollows 228 aresubstantially symmetrical relative to a radial median plane of eachnotch 28. These hollows 228 are thus each provided at a base of theteeth 25 which delimit the notch 28.

In addition, a ratio between a thickness L9 of the yoke 26 and an outerdiameter L10 of the stator 15 (cf. FIG. 56) is contained between 2.5%and 15%, in order to facilitate the bending of the yoke 26 of the flatstator 15 towards the cylindrical form. It should be noted that theouter diameter L10 of the stator 15 corresponds to the outer diameter ofthe yoke 26.

The steps of thermal bonding, putting edge plates 221 into place,producing welds 224 or hollows 227, 228 in the base of the notches 28can be carried out independently or in combination. The same applies tothe particular ratios of dimensions of the stator selected. Theconfiguration of the teeth 25 (with rounded edges 31) as well as thedimensions of the notches 28 can be identical to those previouslydescribed with the stator 15 of a conventional type to be wound, whichinitially has a cylindrical form. The continuous notch insulator 145 canalso be put into place in the notches in the stator 15 before insertionof the winding.

In the variant embodiment of the winding 17 shown in FIG. 58, the twoconductors 37 comprise segment structures 38 which alternate aspreviously an inner layer and an outer layer when going from a notch 28to an adjacent notch of the series according to a circumference of thestator. In addition, when it occupies the inner layer, the segmentstructure 37 has a different orientation D3 from the one D4 when itoccupies the outer layer. The two orientations D3, D4 are preferablyperpendicular to one another.

In the notches 28, a transverse cross-section of each segment structure38 consists of two rectangles 38′ which are stacked radially when thesegment structure 38 occupies one of the layers from amongst an assemblycomprising the inner layer and the outer layer. These two rectangles 38′are stacked orthoradially when the segment structure 38 occupies theother layer of the assembly. In this case, the rectangles 38′ arestacked radially in an inner layer and stacked orthoradially in an outerlayer.

A length L20 of each rectangle 38′ is equal to twice a width L21 of eachrectangle 38′.

Each phase winding E1-E6 then consists of two wires. In other words, thewinding layer 52 is produced by means of two wires in use per phasewinding E1-E6 by carrying out a rotation of 90° when going from onenotch 28 to the following notch in the series.

Apart from the use of the two wires in use, the winding 17 obtained isidentical to that previously described, i.e. in particular it comprisesa regular part 46 and an irregular part 47. In addition, the loopstructures 39 have the same configuration as that previously described.

In this case the teeth 25 are preferably without tooth roots.

It will be appreciated that the preceding description has been givenonly by way of example, and does not limit the scope of the invention,wherein replacement of the details of execution by any other equivalentswould not constitute a departure from the scope.

1. Wound stator (15) comprising a body (16) provided with notches (28),and a winding (17) formed from a layer comprising a plurality of phasewindings (E1-E6), wherein said winding (17) comprises a regular part(46) in which, for each phase winding (E1-E6), segment structures (38)are each connected, via two loop structures (39), to two adjacentsegment structures (38) situated in two different notches (28), and anirregular winding part (47) in which, for each phase winding (E1-E6), asegment structure (38) is connected via two loop structures (39) to twosegment structures (38) which are superimposed radially relative to oneanother in a single notch (28), such that, for each phase winding, thedirection of running in the notches in the stator by each phase windingis inverted at a notch known as the inversion notch, in which there isaccommodated said segment structure (38) connected via two loopstructures (39) to two superimposed segment structures (38).
 2. Statoraccording to claim 1, wherein, for at least one phase winding (E1-E6) ofthe irregular winding part (47), at least one of the loop structures(39) has radial adjustments (50), such that said at least one loopstructure of the phase windings (E1-E6) does not/do not overlap. 3.Stator according to claim 1, wherein segment structures (38) of twoconductors (37) which constitute a single phase winding (E1-E6) arepositioned alternately in an inner layer and an outer layer according toa circumference of the stator.
 4. Stator according to claim 1, whereineach phase winding (E1-E6) is constituted by a single wire (44). 5.Stator according to claim 1, wherein, for two adjacent notches (28) of aseries of notches associated with a phase winding (E1-E6), the winding(17) has two loop structures (39) situated on both sides of the stator(15) connecting segment structures (38) of one of said notches (28)adjacent to those of the other.
 6. Stator according to claim 5, whereinsaid two loop structures (39) connect respectively a segment structure(38) belonging to an inner layer to a segment structure (38) belongingto an outer layer, and a segment structure (38) belonging to an outerlayer to a segment structure (38) belonging to an inner layer.
 7. Statoraccording to claim 1, wherein the segment structures (38) have a squareor rectangular cross-section, and the loop structures (39) have a roundcross-section.
 8. Stator according to claim 1, wherein teeth (25) whichdelimit the notches (28) are without tooth roots.
 9. Stator according toclaim 1, wherein the winding (17) is obtained by winding a winding layer(52) around N/2 stator turns (15), N being the number of layers ofconductors (37) required in the wound stator (15), N being equal to twoor more.
 10. Stator according to claim 9, wherein the number N of layersof conductors (37) is equal to four, six, or eight.
 11. Stator accordingto claim 10, wherein the number N of layers of conductors (37) is equalto eight.
 12. Rotary electrical machine comprising a stator according toclaim
 1. 13. Stator according to claim 2, wherein segment structures(38) of two conductors (37) which constitute a single phase winding(E1-E6) are positioned alternately in an inner layer and an outer layeraccording to a circumference of the stator.
 14. Stator according toclaim 2, wherein each phase winding (E1-E6) is constituted by a singlewire (44).
 15. Stator according to claim 3, wherein each phase winding(E1-E6) is constituted by a single wire (44).
 16. Stator according toclaim 2, wherein, for two adjacent notches (28) of a series of notchesassociated with a phase winding (E1-E6), the winding (17) has two loopstructures (39) situated on both sides of the stator (15) connectingsegment structures (38) of one of said notches (28) adjacent to those ofthe other.
 17. Stator according to claim 3, wherein, for two adjacentnotches (28) of a series of notches associated with a phase winding(E1-E6), the winding (17) has two loop structures (39) situated on bothsides of the stator (15) connecting segment structures (38) of one ofsaid notches (28) adjacent to those of the other.
 18. Stator accordingto claim 4, wherein, for two adjacent notches (28) of a series ofnotches associated with a phase winding (E1-E6), the winding (17) hastwo loop structures (39) situated on both sides of the stator (15)connecting segment structures (38) of one of said notches (28) adjacentto those of the other.